While the mayor of Kemah has the same reservations other residents expressed at a Nov. 1 public hearing about the proposed multiuse Park & Ride facility, he still is certain it would be a great asset for the city.

Mayor Bob Cummins said fears of crime because of an influx of commuters and of incurring debt are valid, but they shouldn't stop the city from offering a potentially great service for visitors, residents and commuters.

He said the facility, which would offer visitor parking during weekends and evenings and provide a Park & Ride service on weekdays, should pay for itself.

Cummins said the city, which counts 1,773 residents and draws more than 4 million visitors a year, has only about 2,500 parking spaces and desperately needs more.

"I think no doubt the city has to have it," Cummins said. "Our business is the tourist business. Galveston just opened the Pleasure Pier, and it's not the case we have a monopoly anymore. People are not going to come down here if they can't find a place to park."

The city will learn early next year whether it qualifies for a matching federal grant under the Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, administered by the Houston-Galveston Area Council.

Two plans are under consideration. A basic plan calls for a 500-space multistory parking garage with a 2,500-square-foot lobby and routes to downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center and Galveston for a total cost of around $22 million.

A "plus plan" calls for an additional 100 spaces and a 7,500-square-foot conference center atop the building for a cost of around $2 million, separate from the grant.

Matching funds would come from the value of the city-owned property where the parking facility would be located, the area known as the "City Lot," bounded by Bradford, Sixth, Harris and Seventh streets. Valued at almost $11 million, the land would be donated under a 40-year lease agreement.

City Administrator Rick Beverlin said funding for the plus plan would come from hotel-motel tax dollars, but the facility as a whole is expected to pay for itself through ridership, parking charges and conference rental fees.

Beverlin said revenue estimates for the plus plan are around $650,000 annually, while the basic plan is in the $350,000 to $400,000 range. Those funds would cover maintenance and operations, security and a trolley service around the city.

City officials prefer the plus plan for a number of reasons. It would be cheaper to build all at once and the need for a conference center is great.

And, surrounding areas like League City also continue to develop, likely increasing demand for Park & Ride services in the future.

Beverlin said the city's one community center is booked just about every weekend and a year in advance.

"I think the plus plan will be a wonderful addition," Councilman Wayne Rast said. "This allows us to get most of where we need to go without incurring debt."

The city has entered into an agreement with Gulf Coast Center's Connect Transit to operate the facility. The nonprofit agency currently runs Victory Lakes Park & Ride in League City, bus services in Texas City and Mall of the Mainland's Park & Ride.

A study that looked at population density, sites for a Park & Ride, employment numbers and the types of trips that are made found there would be an increasing need for the facility.

Beverlin said the study shows 268 riders the first year, increasing to 501 in the fifth year. He said also the facility would complement Texas Department of Transportation's plans to expand Texas 146 through Kemah and Seabrook, improving traffic flow and congestion.

"We do believe it would be of benefit to this community, surrounding communities and to the millions of visitors that come here every year," Beverlin said.

If the project is approved for funding, construction is expected to get under way in 2015.

Meanwhile, Beverlin encouraged residents and stakeholders to send their comments and pledged to provide periodic updates about the project.